Atunwa

Life, sometimes, is one long and winding maze

of occurrences beyond our wishes,

beyond our wits.

Greetings, ma.

Please, we're looking for Baba Fagbemi's house.

Should we go this way?

If we go this way...

We wriggle and battle through it all for reasons that elude us

until we come to the point of higher consciousness.

This is my story.

A story of a child's pain that hurts the mother's heart.

A pain...

caused by my own actions in a past life I know nothing about.

Hmm.

Where's the hoe? The hoe has gone to the farm.

Where's the cutlass? The cutlass has gone to the stream.

We cast divination the eko seller of Idere,

one destined to be wealthy before the dusk of her life.

Eleko Idere, but you said sales weren't great!

Ah-ahn.

My old friend.

Mmmh

Why did you do it?

Why did you leave and not look back?

Hmm?

Why didn't you keep in touch?

Why did you call the gods hypocrites and look at people...

as though they will never die.

How did we get here?

I won't say what the gods didn't ask me to say.

Haven't you heard what the gods said?

The gods said, "Where's the hoe? The hoe has gone to farm.

Where's the cutlass? The cutlass has gone to the stream.

We cast divination for the eko seller of Idere,

one destined to be wealthy before the dusk of her life."

You see, a long time ago,

You were an eko seller in Idere town.

You were poor and didn't make any profit.

So you consulted the messengers of Orunmila.

They interceded on your behalf.

After you became successful and wealthy,

and your business boomed,

you became arrogant and proud.

This angered your creators.

They cursed you with a grave sickness.

Because you were dying, you cried

and asked your Creator for mercy

and another chance to fix your mistakes and go back to your rich life.

Your Creator granted your wishes.

Now you have a husband and fortune,

but your children are your biggest headache.

You're the eko seller from Idere.

Who are... are you talking to me, sir?

I don't sell eko . Or... I've never sold eko.

My mummy doesn't sell eko .

Tell him. I don't sell eko .

You're the eko seller of Idere!

I said I don't sell eko .

I'm not the eko seller of Idere.

Look sir, I only came here

to ask you to thank the gods for me.

That's all.

Don't you understand?

Don't you know the gods know everything?

What's the difference between maize and corn meal?

I'm saying everything as it is.

Everything I say comes from the gods.

Okay, sir...

What does all this have to do with me?

Speak Yoruba!

Sir, how do your words concern me? What does all this have to do with me?

Whatever affects the ground, also affects the sky.

We will need to make a sacrifice.

Dami!

Dami!

Open the gate!

- Dami! - Open the gate!

Dami!

- Baba. - Yes, sir.

You see that lady going?

If she ever comes back here saying that she forgot something,

anything...

you make sure she doesn't come in. Alright?

You heard me?

- Yes, sir! - Good.

Oh here she comes!

Our celebrant!

- Mrs. Kemi Oye! - Thank you.

Happy birthday, Mummy!

Thank you. Thank you for coming.

Where's Mide?

And Daddy is a jolly good fellow.

- You. - Thank you very much.

So it's my wife you're kissing?

Come, come.

Ah-ah.

Daddy.

Why are you inside?

I'm tired of the noise.

It's time you and Mum went on a vacation.

It's long overdue.

May it always be open for you.

Amen.

Did you say vacation?

Yes, sir.

Your mother and I?

Yes, sir.

Do you want her to stop me

from saying hello to all the ladies as I wish?

Ah... no.

I was thinking that you'll go for the vacation, you know,

after your retirement.

What do you think?

Hm?

What are your plans?

Vacation or retirement?

Retirement... sir.

When we get to the bridge, we'll cross it.

Hmm.

When we get to the bridge, we'll cross it.

Thanks for your concern.

Did you pour this for me?

Yes, sir.

Let me have it then.

Cheers once again.

You...

caused a scene at your own parents' party.

Nonsense.

How are you?

I'm alright.

Darling, please let me know before you leave.

Alright. No problem.

Dami.

Dami.

Dami.

Where did you go?

Where are you coming from?

Didn't you see I've been calling you?

Is it because you called

that you destroyed my things?

Why weren't you picking my calls?

Huh?

How would I pick your calls

when I forgot my phone at home?

I mean what's this madness?

What's all this nonsense for?

Did...

Did you buy any of these things for me, Lolu?

I'm sorry.

- Don't be annoyed. - Now look at me.

Don't be annoyed.

Give me my keys.

- I said you shouldn't be annoyed! - Give me my keys!

- Are you mad? - Ah-ah?

Give me my keys, Lolu!

I want you out of this house!

Give me my keys and get the hell out of my house!

- What is that meant to mean? - You...

You want to hit me?

You want to hit me?

Go on, I dare you.

Please. Hit me.

Lolu, hit me!

Get the hell out of my house!

Get out of my house, you fucking psycho!

Get out of my house!

Get out! Psycho!

Bisi.

- Ah, ma. - How are you?

Fine, ma.

Should I take your food to the car?

No.

This...

What's this?

Oh.

It's... it's just a magazine, ma.

I know.

Are you his daughter?

Are you Chief Oye's daughter?

- Yes ma. - Ah.

How come I didn't know?

Why didn't you let anybody know?

I just thought it wasn't necessary, ma.

Come on.

Your father is one of those we look up to.

We look up to him.

He's one of my role models.

Here's what I'm going to do.

I'll give him a call today.

I'll let him know you're working with me.

That'll do it.

No, that won't be necessary ma.

- I just want to quietly do my work... - It's an honor to have you in my company.

- Ma, it won't be necessary... - I'll see you later.

I just...

I need a job.

- So? - So?

I need a job.

Exactly.

Do you need me to help you write it on a billboard?